Carton convertible into compartmented container

ABSTRACT

A carton has a tubular structure that is separable along a circumferential region of the carton into compartments joined by a hinge member having spaced-apart lateral edges. In one embodiment, the hinge member is substantially elliptical. In another embodiment, an aperture is formed in the hinge member for lifting the carton.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] (Not applicable)

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

[0002] (Not applicable)

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The invention relates to cartons, and more specifically to cartons for articles which cartons are convertible to compartmented containers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Consumers often have a need to retrieve an article from a storage medium for the article. For example, an article such as a beverage container is typically retrieved from an area where multiples of the articles are stored. Typical storage areas for such articles are food cabinets and pantries, refrigeration/cooling devices and packages containing multiples of the articles. Articles such as beverages in containers are typically purchased and transported in a package containing multiples of the articles. Thus, it can be appreciated that it would be useful to facilitate removal of an article from a package in which multiples of the articles are transported and/or stored.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a carton has a tubular structure that is separable along a circumferential region of the carton into compartments joined by a hinge member having spaced apart lateral edges.

[0006] In accordance with another aspect of a preferred embodiment of the invention, the hinge member is substantially elliptical.

[0007] In accordance with a further aspect of a preferred embodiment of the invention an aperture is formed through said hinge member to facilitate lifting.

[0008] In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, a compartmented container has compartments joined by a hinge member having spaced-apart lateral edges.

[0009] In accordance with yet a further aspect of the invention, the hinge member is substantially elliptical.

[0010] In accordance with even a further aspect of the invention, an aperture is formed through said hinge member to facilitate lifting.

[0011] Other advantages and objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank for forming a carton convertible into a compartmented container, in accordance with the teachings of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0013]FIG. 2 is an isometric illustration of a carton convertible into a compartmented container formable from the blank of FIG. 1, in accordance with the teachings of a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein of a tear strip has been partially removed;

[0014]FIG. 3 is an illustration of the carton depicted in FIG. 2 as viewed from the opposite side of the carton and wherein the tear strip has been fully removed;

[0015]FIG. 4 is an illustration of the carton shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, wherein walls of the carton have been separated to form compartments joined by a hinge member; and

[0016]FIG. 5 is an illustration of the carton of FIGS. 2 and 3 in the opened condition illustrated in FIG. 4 wherein the carton is lifted through use of features taught by the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same or like features of the invention.

[0018] Referring first to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 simultaneously, FIG. 1 illustrates a blank 10 for forming a carton in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention while FIG. 2 illustrates a carton 12 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention formed from the blank of FIG. 1. A discussion of the features of the blank 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 is useful at this point to help identify the features of the invention as embedded in the carton 12. The carton 12 has a tubular structure. In the preferred embodiment shown, the tubular structure is formed by opposing top and bottom walls, which for convenience of discussion may be referred to as first and second walls 20, 22, respectively, and opposing side walls 24, 26 a/26 b. In the embodiment illustrated, a handle 40 is formed in one of the side walls. Ends walls 30/34, 32/36 generally enclose the ends of the structure.

[0019] An open-ended tubular structure is first generally formed by adhering the side wall panels 26 a and 26 b to one another. Articles A such as beverage containers are typically loaded into the open-ended tubular structure by a continuous-motion packaging machine. Once the carton 12 is loaded, the various end panels and flaps 30, 32, 34, 36, 42, 44 46 a, 46 b, 48 a, 48 b are folded over to provide end closures for the carton.

[0020] The carton 12 has a region along which the carton is separable. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, a region along which the carton 12 is separable includes a tear strip 50 and a frangible line 56, 58 such as a perforated line. The separable region extends partially around a circumference of the tubular structure. As a convenient point of reference, this will be referred as a longitudinal direction. The direction has been described as longitudinal in relation to the orientation of an imaginary axis for the open tubular structure that is formed when the side flaps 26 a and 26 b are joined. In turn, the orientation of the handle may be considered to be “transverse” with respect to the open-ended tubular structure. The terms longitudinal and transverse may be interchanged as points of reference without affecting the scope or teachings of the invention.

[0021] The separable region may consist of any structure that allows the carton to be separated. For example, the separable region may consist of either a tear strip or a frangible line alone. However, use of a tear strip 50 and a frangible line 56/58 in combination helps prevent the carton from opening prematurely while facilitating easy separation of the carton compartments once the tear strip 50 has been removed thus providing an opening through which separation can be initiated. As an example of other alternatives, and not as a limitation, the separable region may also be defined by a cut line having an adhesive strip applied thereto to hold the carton together until intentionally pulled apart.

[0022]FIG. 3 depicts the carton after removal of the tear strip 50. Removal of the tear strip 50 provides an opening through which the carton can be manipulated to separate one side from the other along the separable region. In addition, the opening provided by removal of the tear strip in essence provides a starter area for the separation of the carton into compartments.

[0023] Referring now to FIG. 4, therein is illustrated the carton as separated and divided into compartments 14, 16. The compartments 14, 16 are joined by a hinge member 52. The hinge member 52 has transverse edges that are spaced apart from one another. This helps produce a strong hinge for supporting the compartments. The compartments 14, 16 may be lifted by the hinge structure by grasping the inside of the bottom (or second) wall 22 about the hinge member 52. However, a simple, perhaps more convenient lifting mechanism is provided by an aperture 54 formed in the hinge member 52. An individual may lift the compartments by inserting a finger through the aperture and lifting upward as illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0024] In use, a carton 12 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention as described above is formed from the blank 10 or otherwise is generally first formed into an open-ended tubular structure. Then, cans are loaded in from the ends and the carton 12 is placed in enclosed condition. Once the tear strip 50 is removed as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the carton 12 can be separated along the frangible line 56/58 into the compartments 14, 16 illustrated in FIG. 4. The hinge member 52 has spaced-apart lateral edges that provide both a strong hinge structure and a bridge between the two compartments 14, 16. The opened carton 12 can then be lifted through the hinge member. A simple manner of lifting is to grasp the inside surfaces of the U-shaped structure formed by the hinge member 52. A more convenient yet simple lifting mechanism is provided through placement of an aperture 54 in the hinge member 52. With the aperture 54, the carton 12 is simply lifted by insertion of the finger of a user through the aperture 54.

[0025] Thus, in the manner described above, a package containing multiples of articles such as beverage containers is convertible into a compartmented container from which individual ones of the articles can be retrieved. Because the package is easily transported after it has been converted into a compartmented container, it may be carried around by hand and used as a serving unit for the articles. In addition, the compartmented container formed can be easily placed in a storage area such as a food cabinet or pantry or a refrigeration unit where the articles may be maintained as an aggregation from which individual units may be easily removed.

[0026] Use of terms such as top, bottom, side, end, longitudinal and transverse are used for convenience and to provide a point of reference in the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention. Modifications may be made in the foregoing without departing from the scope and spirit of the claimed invention. For example, the hinge member has spaced-apart lateral edges and in a preferred embodiment described above is substantially elliptical. The tapered ends of the substantially elliptical configuration help provide a transition from the carton end walls and bottom wall to the hinge member. However, the hinge member may have other configurations, such as substantially rectangular. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A carton comprising a tubular wall structure separable along a substantially longitudinal circumferential region into adjacent compartments joined by a hinge member having spaced-apart lateral edges.
 2. The carton of claim 1, wherein said tubular wall structure includes opposing first and second walls joined by opposing side walls, said substantially longitudinal circumferential region extends across said first wall and opposing end walls that join said first, second and side walls, and said hinge member is integrally formed with said second wall.
 3. The carton of claim 1, wherein said substantially longitudinal circumferential region is defined at least in part by a frangible line.
 4. The carton of claim 1, wherein said substantially longitudinal circumferential region is defined at least in part by a frangible line and a tear strip.
 5. The carton of claim 1, wherein said hinge member facilitates lifting.
 6. The carton of claim 1, wherein said hinge member is substantially elliptical.
 7. The carton of claim 1, said hinge member having an aperture formed therethrough to facilitate lifting.
 8. The carton of claim 1, wherein said hinge member is substantially elliptical and has an aperture formed therethrough to facilitate lifting.
 9. A carton comprising a tubular wall structure separable along a substantially longitudinal circumferential region into adjacent compartments joined by a substantially elliptical hinge member having spaced-apart lateral edges and having an aperture defined therethrough.
 10. A blank for forming a carton the blank comprising a series of adjoining panels for forming a tubular structure for the erected carton, said panels having integrally formed therein a region of separability transversely extending along portions of said panels and a hinge-forming region having spaced-apart lateral edges such that the erected tubular structure is separable along said region of separability into compartments joined by a hinge member having spaced-apart lateral edges.
 11. The blank of claim 10, wherein said hinge-forming region and said hinge member are substantially elliptical.
 12. The blank of claim 10, wherein said hinge-forming region is defined by weakened lines of demarcation.
 13. The blank of claim 10, wherein said panels form opposing first and second walls, opposing side walls and opposing end walls in the erected carton, said region of separability is disposed such that it extends across said first wall and opposing end walls of the erected carton, and said hinge-forming region is formed in said second wall.
 14. The blank of claim 10, wherein said region of separability is defined at least in part by a frangible line.
 15. The blank of claim 10, wherein said region of separability is defined at least in part by a frangible line and a tear strip.
 16. The blank of claim 10, said hinge-forming region having an aperture defined therethrough to facilitate lifting at said hinge member.
 17. A compartmented container comprising compartments joined by a hinge member having spaced-apart lateral edges.
 18. The compartmented container of claim 17, wherein said hinge member is substantially elliptical.
 19. The compartmented container of claim 17, said hinge member having an aperture formed therethrough to facilitate lifting.
 20. The compartmented container of claim 17, wherein said hinge member is substantially elliptical and has having an aperture formed therethrough to facilitate lifting. 